Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-17
MURDER AT THE CHURCH.
COWARDLY ASSASSINATION OF A
PROMINENT CHICAGO CITIZEN.

Banker Rawson's Domestic Troubles Re-
Just as He Was Leaving Church-A
Horror-Struek Congregation-The MUIR
derer Observation-Disclosures In Bad Luck
A New Idea in Texas-Criminal Notes.
CHICAGO Oct l7-Mr Stephen W. Raw
son, IA we'll known banker of this city, and
connected with the Union Trust company,
was probably fatally shot at noon Sunday
near the Third Presbyterian church, at the
corner of Ashland and Ogden avenues, by his
step-son, Ralph Slaymaker. The shooting
occasioped great excitement as it occurred as
the worshippers at church were proceeding
homsward Mr.. Rawson, who had attended
services at the church. emerged from the
south entrance as the great organ was still
laundering its finale, and started diagonally
across Ogden avenue on his way to his resi-
dence at 496 West Monroe street. Slaymaker,
who had been lettering in the vicinity of the
church for nearly an hour, when he saw Raw
son come forth ran along the avenue until
he was within eight feet of the banker Then
he drew a large nickle plated revolver from
one of the pockets of his o, ercoat and grasp
ing the handle of the weapon with both
hands fired into the back of the helpless man,
who fell forward upon his hands and knees
but before he struck the earth another bullet
was lodged in his body. Theayoung assassin
did not advance as he fired, but stood pale
and trembling in the gutter. When his
aged victim fell Slaymaker turned his re-
volver down upon the Frustrated body and
fred three times in succession.
For moment the throng of people going
from church was parayzed by the spectacle
Then panic seized the women and children,
who fed in wild disorder Some re-entered
the church to seek place of safety, while
others ran screaming down the avenue.
Stay maker did not move until he had emp
tel the five cartridges in his revolver. Then
he started across the avenue with the weap
on still in his hand. A man leaped out of the
crowd and seized the assassin, who was
shortly afterward turned over to the police
While he was being led through the crowd
there We're cries of Hang himi~ This seemed
to unnerve him, for he shook violently
"Taks me to Jail as quickly as possible" he
said to the officer; al have done my business
now you do yours"
Meantime the wounded banker had risen to
his feet unassisted, but he could not stand,
and was compelled to lie down on the grass
plot in front of the church. As soon as pos
sible carriage was obtained and be was re-
moved to his residence and received surgical
attendance 1t was found that all five bull
lets had taken effect Four of them were
removed, but the fifth, VIII Oh pierced the pei
vic bone, it was deemed best not to probe for
owing to the low vitality OF the sufferer. Ii
Is not believed that Mr. Rawson can recover
1t is stated that the shooting comes from
domestic troubles Mr. Rawson some time
ago applied for a divorce from his WIFE
America L. Lee, who had previously been
married twice The step-son, Ralph W.
Slaymaker or William r. Lee, as he was
sometimes called, took his mothers part, and
was greatly indignant at certain charges
made ly Mr. Rawsou against her The case
has been i'll the courts for months, and the
charges and counter charges embraced about
everything possible to be laid against bus
band aud wife The last papers filed by Mr.
Rawson charged his wife with adultery with
various persons to yonr orator unknown, and
at times and places also to your orator IN
know There is hardly doubt that these
are the charges that inspired the cowardly
and bloody deed.
AT late hour Sunday night Mr.. Rawson
was quietly sleeping but the doctors gave 10
hope of his recovery Young Slsymaker is
not Is years old His mother has threatened
to shoot Rawson, and the sou has been kno wn
to swear he would get even with him When
Mrs. Rawson heard of the tragedy she
showed feeling except for her son, and
Immediately opened communication with her
counsel and friends 1t is but fair to state
here that Mr. Rawson has prosecuted his suit
for divorce with exceeding energy. Detectives
have been put on Mrs Rawson's track and
her whole history lad bare with the object
of obtaining evidence against her; also that
she began court procee ilngs III a suit for
separate maintenance